Support Outstanding Florida Waters in Broward County Florida

An application for designation of Outstanding Florida Waters has been submitted for the Ft. Lauderdale/Lauderdale-By-The-Sea/Pompano Beach nearshore coral reef communities to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.  This designation is being sought in order to increase the level of water quality protection being provided to these waters so that the current marine life, recreational and fish values and ecological integrity of this system can be maintained. 

This area contains the most diverse and highest coral cover habitat including Threatened Staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) as well as all documented Elkhorn corals (Acropora palmata) in Broward County but has yet to receive any protection or management from sedimentation or direct land-based sources of pollution.  This unique area contains the best coral reefs in the continental U. S. that are within swimming distance of the beach leaving them highly susceptible to urban run-off and pollution discharges.

Threatened and Endangered Sea Turtles use this near shore area as important foraging grounds and access to the beach for nesting.  Our coastal resources are under extreme pressure from urban development, loss of important habitat, water quality degradation and other human activities.

Sign this petition to support the designation of the nearshore coral reefs in Ft. Lauderdale/Lauderdale-By-The-Sea/Pompano Beach as Outstanding Florida Waters for water quality protection.